Catalyst 2900XL Pitfalls

I got a Cisco Catalyst 2924XL-EN yesterday for S$ 100 (about US$ 70). This is for a software demo where I need the SPAN (switch port analyzer) functionality.

Because it's so old (IOS version 12.0.(5.2)-XU) and primitive, I discovered that.. first, the port mirroring setup page on Wikipedia doesn't give a working configuration. For old switches like these, it's a multi-step process, e.g.

#conf term
#interface fa0/1

#port monitor fa0/2
#port monitor fa0/3
#^Z

#wri mem

#show port monitor

to set up (and verify) that FastEthernet 0/1 is used to monitor interfaces 0/2 and 0/3. Far more than the two-line configuration in the Wikipedia page!!

Another important caveat is that Catalyst 2900 and 3500 switch ports are not auto-sensing MDI/MDI-X. To connect one of these switches to another switch, you actually need a cross-cable! how 1990's!!

I still haven't verified my SPAN port is working. Will do that tomorrow.